FROM STAFF REPORTS
After winning or sharing the past two titles, Hampden-Sydney is favored to make it three in a row in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference this fall.
The Tigers (8-2, 4-2) finished in a four-way tie with Randolph-Macon, Catholic and Emory & Henry last season. R-MC got the ODAC's automatic Division III playoff bid.
This year, though, H-SC is the preseason choice of the league's coaches. A big reason is the return of 14 starters, including quarterback Corey Sedlar (7.027 career passing yards, second in school history), 6-foot-6 receiver Adam Gillette (45 catches, 7 TDs last season) and linebackers Adam Sellers (73 tackles) and Josh Miller (70).
Following are capsules of the ODAC's teams:
BRIDGEWATER Coach: Mike Clark (15th year) Last season: 4-6 (3-3 ODAC) Top players: Jr. LB T.J. Montague, St. DT Austin Icaza, Sr. DT Brandon Curry, Sr. CB Seth Little, Jr. QB Hagan Driskell, Sr. RB David Argaud, Jr. WR Tyler Beiler, Sr. C Drew Kirkner. Outlook: The Eagles aren't the ODAC kingpins they once were, but closed last season with a win over co-champ Catholic and have lots of experience. Driskell, a Caroline High grad, threw for 2,354 yards and 9 TDs as a sophomore but must become more efficient (48 percent). CATHOLIC Coach: Dave Dunn (fifth year) Last season: 9-2 (4-2 ODAC) Top players: Sr. C Jim Gehringer, Jr. G Rich Brennan, Sr. T Chris McNicholas, Sr. CB Tommy Robberson, Jr. CB Dylan O'Shea, Sr. P T.J. Breslin. Outlook: The Cardinals lost a slew of skill-position players, including all-ODAC QB Kevin Ricca. Sophomore Dylan Knight takes over the spread attack and will work behind an experienced line. Robberson and O'Shea anchor a defense that also was hit hard by graduation. EMORY & HENRY Coach: Don Montgomery (fifth year) Last season: 6-4 (4-2 ODAC) Top players: Jr. RB Caleb Jennings, Sr. WR Jonathan Hawkins, Sr. OT Brad Lester, Sr. LB Evin O'Sullivan, Sr. DE Andrew Giordini. Outlook: Jennings rushed for 1,157 yards (second in the ODAC) last year and led the conference with 216 all-purpose yards per game. He'll be busy again. O'Sullivan, a Colonial Forge High School grad, returns to lead a young defense after missing last season with an injury. GUILFORD Coach: Kevin Kiesel (fifth year) Last season: 4-6 (1-5 ODAC) Top players: Jr. OT Brice Carlson, Jr. RB Justin Parker, Sr. DL Markas Brunson, So. CB Kenneth Hyman. Outlook: The Quakers must rebuild after losing the potent passing combo of QB Josh Vogelbach and WR Kevin Vaughn. Parker ran for 795 yards last year and should get even more carries this time. HAMPDEN-SYDNEY Coach: Marty Favret (10th year) Last season: 8-2 (4-2 ODAC) Top players: Sr. QB Corey Sedlar, Sr. WR Adma Gillette, So. C Ben Rogers, Sr. DE Ty Condrey, Sr. LB Andrew Sellers, Sr. LB Josh Miller. Outlook: Experience and talent make the Tigers the ODAC's preseason favorites. C Rogers was first-team all-ODAC as a freshman. RANDOLPH-MACON Coach: Pedro Arruzza (sixth year) Last season: 6-5 (4-2 ODAC) Top players: Sr. LB Christian Stahl, Sr. DE Gamal Alwan, Jr. OT Morgan Cross, Sr. QB Austin Faulkner, Jr. WR Earl Peoples. Outlook: The Yellow Jackets won their first ODAC title in 11 years last season, but repeating won't be easy. They suffered massive graduation losses. Faulkner, a Riverbend High School grad, threw for 1,747 yards and 17 TDs last year. WASHINGTON & LEE Coach: Frank Miriello (15th year) Last season: 4-6 (1-5 ODAC) Top players: Sr. G Charlie Craigle, Jr. G Greg Kurkis, So. QB Charlie Westfal, Sr. DE Matt Cassilly, , Sr. LB David Love, Outlook: The Generals lost their final five games last year after a 4-1 start. Craigle and Kurkis give them strength up front, but they'll miss graduated all-purpose RB Stuart Sitterson.